Tithes and Offerings

Because of many televangelists’ abuses, a lot of people are uncomfortable discussing the giving of money to the church. This problem is magnified by many preachers who regularly preach sermons about giving when the dollar amount of the church’s weekly offering goes down.

At Calvary Chapel, you will never hear us telling people, “the tithes and offerings are down, so please dig deep.” You will never hear pleading, begging, or compelling. You will never experience harassment or manipulation about money. As far as Calvary Chapel is concerned, your giving is to God is exactly that: giving to God.

On the other hand, we are not afraid to discuss the subject as we come to those areas in Scripture that warrant the explanation and exposition of giving, stewardship, tithing, and offering to God.

At Calvary Chapel of Kennett, tithes and offerings are received during each of our worship services. Offering up our praises and worship to God in the form of singing goes hand-in-hand with offering praise and worship in the form of finances. The Bible instructs us that giving is a sacrifice of thanksgiving. In Deuteronomy 26, we are told that we take the first fruits of God’s blessings, put them in a basket joyously and thankfully, and place it on the altar.

We believe the following in regards to giving to God:

You’re never too poor to give to Jesus Christ. People don’t give according to how rich God makes them, they give according to the grace of God. The more a person experiences the grace of God, the more they give to God (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

If you give generously, then you will reap even greater blessings (Proverbs 11:24-25; Malachi 3:8-10; Luke 16:10-13; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

You should give exactly as much as you have purposed in your heart to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). Don’t ever give under compulsion or because you’ve been made to feel guilty.

When you give to God, give to Him cheerfully and hilariously (2 Corinthians 9:7). Otherwise, it’s best if you just keep your money.

When you give to God, give sacrificially. David said, “I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:24) The widow who put two mites into the temple treasury was applauded by Jesus for giving all she had (Mark 12:43-44). God is blessed when we offer Him a true financial sacrifice.